Breaking the Ice

Central State Hockey #3

by Jaqueline Snowe

Falling for your best friend is a bad idea. Falling for your roommate?
A disaster waiting to happen.

Jordan Vanderfleet has three is temporary. Commitment is a trap. Never, ever fall for Preston Charming.

She’s spent years perfecting the art of keeping things casual, thriving in chaos, and avoiding anything that even resembles forever. But when one impulsive night changes everything, Jordan’s broken the only rule that ever mattered—falling for the one person she can’t afford to lose.

Preston Charming is hockey royalty, a future pro who plays the game with skill, precision, and a rock-solid plan. He’s focused and carefree, except when it comes to Jordan. He’s been in love with her for years, but timing was never on his side. Now, just when he thinks he finally has a shot, she finds one reason to push him away.

When an accidental steamy night in a hotel shifts everything between them, Jordan does what she does best—runs. But Preston isn’t the kind of guy who lets his best girl slip through his fingers. Not without a fight.

He’s done playing it safe. He’s done waiting. And this time? He’s not letting her go.

Genres: Hockey, Sports, Romance, Friends To Lovers, Hockey Romance, Sports Romance, College Romance

294 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 24, 2025

About the author

Jaqueline Snowe lives in Arizona where the "dry heat" really isn't that bad. She prefers drinking coffee all hours of the day and snacking on anything that has peanut butter or chocolate. She is the mother to two dogs who don’t realize they aren’t humans and a = mom to the sweetest boy. She is an avid reader and writer of romances and tends to write about athletes. Her husband works for an MLB team (not a player, lol) so she knows more about baseball than any human ever should.


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Reviews

[Abby (booksinthefreetime) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5⭐️ 3/5🌶️

I will forever be a fan of Jaqueline Snowe!! This book gives everything that I want in a sports romance 🤗

Jordan and Preston are a true definition of friends to lovers. I absolutely love how easy going their banter is how much fun they have together. The sexual tension was HOTTT 🔥🔥 You find out very quickly how compatible they are 😈😈

If you love…

-Roommates
-One Bed
-Hockey Romance
-Best Friends to Lovers
-Found Family
-He’s Been In Love With Her Forever

READ THIS BOOK!!!!

Thank you Jaqueline for the ARC! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!

[Kimberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was patiently waiting for Jordan and Preston’s story in Breaking The Ice and it truly didn’t disappoint. There is just something about a best friend romance that I adore. This story proves the power of friendship, the way they supported each other was perfection and their chemistry was next level. If you adore a good hockey romance with a fabulous cast of characters this series Central State Hockey is for you! I received a complementary copy from the author.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was cute! i’ve been looking forward to preston & jordan’s story since under the ice and i’m excited we have it!!

i’m such a sucker for a bffs to lovers and jordan & preston were genuinely really good friends. their friendship was so important to them and played a big part in their story and i loved that! also their chemistry was 10/10!!!

thank you jaqueline for the arc!!

[Natalie Intihar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was SO ready for Preston and Jordan’s story in Breaking the Ice!! The absolute squeal I let out when this ARC landed in my inbox was more than proof!! Their friends-to-lovers arc was an absolute dream. I knew the tension was there from Under the Ice, but reading it here was a whole other level. Whew, the spice was SPICY in the best way!

One of the things I loved in this story was the power of the friendship between Preston and Jordan. Jordan’s anxious attachment style was totally in play here, but Preston’s ability to continually show up for her made all the difference. It’s one of the most beautiful parts of friends to lovers plots- the knowledge that they already know all the bad things about you and love you anyways.

Jaqueline Snowe is one of my go-to authors for sports romance. I’ve loved her hockey romances so much, and I absolutely adored Sliding Home, which was a baseball romance! I don’t know what it is that she puts into these stories, but I know I always want more!

I voluntarily reviewed a free advance copy of this book provided by the author. The opinions expressed are my own.

[morganinpages · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC READ
this was such a fun and cute read! I love Preston and Jordan so much! Their relationship was so cute and I loved seeing their friendship finally turn into more! They had such sweet moments and I absolutely loved their chemistry. I just feel like Jordan pushed away from Preston too much that it felt like their relationship was kinda forced. Like they obviously had so much chemistry, but he literally LOVED her and she just pushed him away every chance she got. And even after knowing his feelings she flirted with other guys, but then got mad that he had a date to an event?? That kinda just didn’t make sense to me. And then when they finally have their first date Preston gets sick, so they don’t even get to have a proper date. It honestly just felt like the universe was telling them that it wasn’t going to work. Idk I really liked them together and found the friendship to lovers trope to be so cute, but at the same time I just feel like Preston cared about Jordan way more than she cared about him. I wish we got to see more of the feelings Jordan had for Preston bc all I got was friendzone vibes with a little bit of benefits thrown in. This was a good read, but I wish we just got to see more from their relationship.

[Erin_ReadsAfterDark · Rating 4 out of 5]

So Cute!

⭐️ 4/5
🌶️ 3.5/5

Lately I have been finding myself reading more friends to lovers and while it’s not my favorite trope, I haven’t been mad about it. Preston and Jordan are so cute and meant to be together. Between the banter, their close friendship and the chemistry, they are perfect! Preston surprised the heck out of me with how dirty of a mouth he had and I was 100% here for it!

* Best Friends to Lovers
* Only One Bed
* Roommates
* Found Family
* She’s Chaos, he loves it
* He’s been in love with her forever

[Bethany Smart]

DNF about 20/30%? I kept opening and closing this book. It shouldn’t have been a struggle to keep reading. I’d make it about 5 pages and then get bored. The writing pacing seemed weird to me? It felt oddly paced and something was off with it.

I read the first book in this series, but I couldn’t finish this one.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t wait to read Preston’s story after being introduced in Book 2. He was a resilient MMC. Hopefully we get to see more of his twin, Price in his own story! He seemed to be a good time. There was a nice amount of spice to this latest instalment of Central State Hockey series 🩷

[Katlyn Brink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Overall, I enjoyed this book, I feel like it was a little repetitive at times with the main character running away because of her personal issues and struggles, but overall enjoyed it well!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Breaking the Ice by Jaqueline Snow

I knew going in that Jordan and Preston’s story would be a rollercoaster, but I didn’t expect it to land quite so deeply. Book three in the Central State Hockey series delivers on every front — the tension, the chemistry, the emotional depth — and I was all in from the very first page. Thank you so much to Jaqueline Snowe and the publisher for my gifted copy. It’s been a while since a friends-to-lovers romance hit me this hard, but this one completely nailed it. It’s smart, sexy, and emotionally raw in a way that stays with you.

Jordan Vanderfleet is chaos in human form. She’s guarded, fast-talking, impulsive, and fully committed to not committing. She doesn’t do relationships. Doesn’t believe in forever. Watching her come apart emotionally while trying to hold onto those rules she made for herself was heartbreaking and, at times, frustrating — but in the most human way possible. She’s not the cliché “cold girl who needs saving.” She’s someone who’s been through real emotional damage and wears that fear like armor. I found myself both rooting for her and wanting to shake her, which honestly makes for a great heroine. She’s flawed, and she knows it. She just doesn’t know how to fix it, and that kind of self-awareness, paired with resistance to change, made her feel very real to me.

And then there’s Preston. Preston Charming, the golden boy of the Central State hockey team, who has been in love with Jordan for years and has never said a word. I loved him immediately. He’s thoughtful without being boring, patient without being a doormat, and steady in a way that Jordan desperately needs. What made me fall for him was how deeply he respected Jordan’s boundaries, even when it hurt. He never tried to push her before she was ready, but he also knew his worth — and when the moment came, he didn’t hold back. Preston’s character was the emotional center of the book, and his love for Jordan felt so genuine, so earned, it honestly made me emotional. This isn’t a guy who swoops in and saves the day. He shows up. Over and over again. And sometimes that’s the harder, more powerful version of love.

The chemistry between them is undeniable, and the way the tension builds is masterfully done. From their inside jokes and easy banter to the more serious, loaded silences, everything between them had that electric, high-stakes energy that I crave in a slow-burn romance. And once the spark ignites? It’s full-on fire. The steam in this book is very real — but it never feels forced or gratuitous. It’s woven into the emotional arc of the story in a way that feels meaningful and honest. Every intimate scene deepens their connection, and every push-pull moment carries real emotional weight. This is the kind of romance where the physical moments feel like an extension of everything the characters are afraid to say out loud, and I was here for all of it.

Beyond the romance, what stood out to me was the emotional growth arc for both characters. Jordan’s fear of abandonment isn’t fixed overnight. She stumbles, she backslides, she runs. But she also learns to stop hiding and starts choosing the things that scare her — love, trust, vulnerability. Watching that evolution was incredibly rewarding. Preston, too, grows. He learns that loving someone also means knowing when to let go, even when it kills you. That mutual journey toward self-awareness and emotional maturity made the love story land with so much more impact. It’s not just two people falling in love — it’s two people figuring out how to love themselves enough to let someone else in.

The backdrop of Central State, with its familiar hockey team dynamics and rotating cast of lovable side characters, made the story feel grounded and familiar without overshadowing the main romance. There’s a community here that adds heart and warmth, and fans of the previous books will definitely appreciate the little nods and connections. It feels like a fully lived-in world, and that continuity adds depth to the emotional stakes. I loved getting more of the team, and I can’t wait to see who gets a story next. Snowe has a way of building anticipation for side characters without pulling focus from the central couple.

Jaqueline Snowe’s writing is fast, fresh, and emotionally charged. She has this uncanny ability to balance real emotional weight with sharp, fun dialogue and some truly hilarious moments. There were scenes that made me laugh out loud, scenes that made me pause and sit with what just happened, and scenes that had me fanning myself. The pacing is tight, the stakes are personal, and the characters never feel like caricatures. They feel like people you know. People you care about. That’s what makes the book so good — it’s not just enjoyable, it’s relatable in the most unexpected ways.

Breaking the Ice isn’t just another friends-to-lovers college sports romance. It’s a story about facing the parts of yourself you’ve kept buried, about trusting someone enough to let them see your mess, and about fighting for the love you’ve convinced yourself you’re not allowed to have. It’s spicy, it’s sincere, and it’s full of heart. I loved every messy, beautiful second of this book. Jordan and Preston earned every bit of their happy ending, and I’ll be thinking about them long after I close the final page. Five stars, without a doubt.

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just to clarify, this is a 3.75 rating for me but I need to leave a full star on Goodreads so I have rounded up to a 4 star.

Oh, I don't know. I was all over the place with this book. I loved Through the Ice and Under the Ice, and I had so many expectations for this one, but it was slightly confusing to me. The emotional highs and lows felt like they were all over the place.

Obviously, I loved the relationship between Jordan and Preston, and I was waiting for them to get together since meeting them as a couple in Under the Ice. The friendship between Jordan and Logan in that book was perfect, and they really are like sisters. In Breaking the Ice, it just felt as if that friendship and that bond were taken to the next level and solidified. They are BFF soulmates, and I love how we were able to continue to see these two female characters be by each other's side and not let their relationships with other people get in the way of them.

The friendship between Preston and Jordan was special, too. From Jordan's POV, I could really see how much she cared about and valued the friendship with Preston. I was also very aware of her fear of commitment and the trauma her family, especially her mother, left her with when it came to opening up to new relationships. I love how they were comfortable enough around each other and with themselves to fully let go, and it almost seemed that no topic was taboo to talk about. Well, no topic except for the most important one...Preston's feelings about Jordan. And for a couple of people who so openly communicate with each other as friends, it was frustrating how much they kept from each other when they were exploring the "more" part of their relationship. The miscommunication trope was annoying, almost infuriating, because that wasn't what their friendship was like.

I did like that this "friends-to-lovers" story was different from others that I have read. Typically, we see a friendship where they each have secret crushes on the other, neither says anything out of fear of ruining the friendship, but eventually they ease into the teasing before it develops into more. Here, some of that could be true, but it was much more aggressive. The flirting between Jordan and Preston is always there, and, depending on whatever mood swing one of them was having (usually Preston), they would be very vocal about the attraction, get their kink on, and cross the friendship line to the hook-up line only to move their way back awkwardly right after. I felt like I was getting whiplash from the friendship to friends-with-bennies, to let's try this. It was a back-and-forth that left me confused. I think I would benefit more from this story as an audiobook because I would be told during the reading of the story what emotion I need to put into the dialogue between the characters during a scene. Sometimes, I was reading it in my head with the wrong subcontext, and it just confused me more.

Some of the subplots also had me questioning if 1) they were necessary? Could they have been addressed differently? The charity gala that Jordan organized seemed like it was supposed to be a big deal, but it was dropped into our laps as a reader, watched as it became important, and then quickly was over. Either extend the storyline to the organization and the importance that the event has on Jordan's grade, or don't make it out to be something super big. The same could be said by Preston's parents. We find out they have marital problems, but don't really get to see too much of the internal workings of that couple splitting and the effect it has on Preston, only for them to resolve their problems almost as if it is an afterthought. Is there going to be a spin-off around that story? If there is, then I can understand the vagueness. However, if there isn't, then I think it should either be developed more into a bigger issue for our MMC or not played up so much.

As for Price Charming, Preston's twin brother...Is he going to get a spin-off? Is he going to be in book 5 in the Central State Football series? I already know who the MMC in book 4 will be, but is Price going to cross over to this other series? Will he have his own separate series? I feel like he was discussed too much not to be a future MMC.

[Fernanda Giovannini · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Central State Hockey series has been a favorite of mine since Audrey and Theo, so I was really excited for Jordan and Preston in Breaking the Ice, which was exactly what I had anticipated. For some reason, I really enjoy the romance that develops between best friends. Their bond was remarkable, and the manner in which they backed each other was perfect, showcasing the power of camaraderie. Central State Hockey is the ideal series for you if you're looking for an excellent hockey romance with an amazing lineup of characters!

Jordan Vanderfleet embodies trouble, being fiercely independent, emotionally guarded, and resolutely avoiding anything that even remotely resembles love. Her rules are quite straightforward: she'll never be attracted to Preston Charming, commitment is for fools, and love doesn't last long. Is this the last one? Not as simple as it appears.

Preston is talented, well-mannered, and hiding a long-held crush on his best friend, making him the star of Central State hockey. Jordan is prepared to sacrifice everything as he escapes her feelings. After one impulsive night disrupts their relationship, she falls back into her old habits, but Preston refuses to let her leave this time.

One of my favorite elements of this story was the strength of the friendship between Preston and Jordan. While Jordan's anxious attachment style was certainly influential, Preston's ongoing support proved essential. The understanding that they are aware of all your flaws yet still cherish you is one of the most beautiful elements of friendship-to-romance narratives.

Their bond is undeniable, and the tension is masterfully managed. All interactions between them carried that thrilling, intense energy I appreciate in a slow-developing relationship, from their playful teasing and shared jokes to the deeper, meaningful pauses. What happens once the spark ignites? It is fully ablaze. While the steam in this book is genuine, it never feels contrived. It is genuinely and significantly woven into the narrative's emotional exploration. Their connection deepens with every intimate moment, and each push-pull interaction carries true emotional weight. I witnessed each moment of this relationship, characterized by physical interactions that feel like a continuation of all the feelings the characters fear to verbalize.

What intrigued me, beyond the romance, was the characters' emotional growth. Overcoming Jordan's fear of abandonment requires time. She dashes, slips back, and falters. She also discovers how to cease hiding and start accepting the elements that scare her, like vulnerability, love, and trust. Observing that growth was incredibly fulfilling. Preston creates as well. He realizes that the ability to release someone, even if it entails death, is another facet of loving them. The romantic story resonated more deeply due to their collective path toward self-discovery and emotional growth. It's about a couple learning to value themselves sufficiently to become vulnerable with another person, not merely about two individuals becoming romantically involved.

Jaqueline Snowe is one of my preferred authors in the sports romance genre. Her hockey love stories are always my favorites, and I especially liked Sliding Home, a baseball romance, so be sure to look into that one as well! I’m uncertain about her contribution to these stories, but I’m aware that I’m always here for each of them!

[Cigi cini · Rating 4 out of 5]

🏒 Sports Romance
👫 Friends to Lovers
🏠 Roommates
💔 Angst
💞 Mutual Pining
🔥 One Night Changes Everything
🚫 Commitment Issues
🎓 College Romance
🥺 Emotional Walls
💪 Determined Hero

Star: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Breaking the Ice delivers a sweet and emotional friends-to-lovers college romance with all the tension, angst, and heart you could hope for. Jordan Vanderfleet is chaos personified—fiercely independent, emotionally guarded, and determined to avoid anything that remotely resembles love. Her rules are clear: love doesn’t last, commitment is for fools, and under no circumstances will she fall for Preston Charming. That last one? Easier said than done.

Preston is the golden boy of Central State hockey—talented, disciplined, and hiding a long-standing crush on his best friend. While Jordan runs from her feelings, he’s ready to lay everything on the line. After one impulsive night turns their dynamic upside down, she retreats into old habits, but this time Preston won’t let her disappear.

The chemistry between Jordan and Preston is undeniable. Their banter is sharp, their connection deeply rooted in friendship, and the slow emotional unravelling is paced just right. The novel shines in its portrayal of vulnerability and fear of intimacy, especially from Jordan’s perspective. Watching her wrestle with trust and finally open her heart is both frustrating and rewarding.

Jaqueline Snowe’s writing is confident, witty, and emotionally grounded. The collegiate sports setting adds charm without overshadowing the relationship arc, and while the plot beats are familiar, they’re executed with warmth and care.

Perfect for fans of college romance, close proximity tropes, and sports romance with emotional depth, Breaking the Ice is a satisfying addition to the Central State Hockey series. It’s about love that grows from friendship, trust earned over time, and the courage to leap when it matters most.

[Minnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review

4.5⭐|3🌶|14%🌶frequency

I saw people saying that this book might be Jaqueline's best book. I haven't read ALL her books yet, but nearly all that are available on KU (except for one, and I'll read it soon). So, I think I can say I'm entitled to give my opinion, right?
And my opinion is, they are right 😁

The story of Preston and Jordan is so wonderful. Most of the time, it's the FMC who has a secret crush on the MMC. But not here. It's Preston who has been in love with Jordan for years. He is so cute 😍 He is such a golden retriever 🩷 He would do everything for Jordan.
It's not that Jordan doesn't love Preston. But only as a friend. She has HUGE commitment issues. And also a huge fear of abandonment.

I love books where one or more MCs have a problematic relationship with their parents. It gives me the feeling I'm not alone. It's always "But they are your parents, blablabla". Yes, they are, but that doesn't give them the right to act like 💩 and think we "children" still have to love them. So thank you to every author who gives their MCs 💩ty parents 🩷

That's not why I think it's Jaqueline's best book. I can't really say why, it's just a feeling. It's how the MCs interact. It's how 🌶️ it is (yes, I would say it's also Jaqueline's 🌶️est book. With tendencies to get k!nky 😉
I laughed. I cried. And yes, I was also in fear/shock. Especially because of Preston and Jordan's first date. Yes, that got dramatic 😮

While I write this review, I see I haven't read book 2 in this series yet. It's on my TBR for next month. No wonder I was sad, there wasn't a story about Quentin & Logan... Yes, there is! And I so need to read it!!! 😁


Thanks to the author for trusting me with an ARC 🩷


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[Natasha Deen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Preston Charming was sooo charming .

I dont usually enjoy the friend to lovers trope but Jaqueline Snowe captivated me with this book, it was funny, sweet and swoony.

When I was introduced to Preston and Jordan in the previous book it was obvious that although they were best friends there was an underlying attraction there.

And boy oh boy, was that chemistry and attraction smoldering and palpable in this book. They were electrifying together.

Preston was the eptiome of a great friend and total sweetheart. He was so patient with Jordan and accepted her for who she was, insecurities and all. He was the support she needed and it was swoony how caring and considerate he was when it came to her. Bedroom Preston was hella hawtt, his take charge , domineering attitude was sexy. His relationship with his twin, Price was endearing and humorous.

Although Jordan portrayed this wild, tough exterior, it was heartbreaking to realise that she was dealing with a harsh, unfeeling family and felt she was unloveable. In spite of that, she was smart and loved her people fiercely. She was a fantastic and thoughtful friend and a very caring person. It did take her a while to come to terms with her feelings for Preston and accept he was all in but when she did, Jordan finally got the happily ever after she deserved.

I loved the relationship between Jordan, Preston and Logan. Everyone needs supportive friends like them.

I enjoyed the developing relationship between Preston and Jordan, it has truly heart melting and sweet.

This book was such an easy, feel good read that I could not put it down. I do hope we get Price's story.

[Missy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute read. This book follows Preston and Jordan. They are best friends and roommates but Preston has been secretly in love with Jordan for years. Jordan is terrified of anything having to do with feelings and relationships. A hotel room, a few drinks and a game where the winner gets to have to loser complete a dare, Jordan and Preston cross the line of their friendship. Jordan wants to run, Preston wants to show her relationships can work.

There were a lot of parts of this book I liked, I liked the friendship and the forced proximity between Jordan and Preston. He really knew her so well, he was able to talk her down more than once when her fight or flight was triggered. Jordan cared so deeply for her friends, and that was evident in her interactions with them. Childhood trauma and fear of abandonment made her feel as if she needed to be perfect for anyone to stick around. Because of that, she also feared a relationship with Preston because she was terrified of losing him in her life.

I really liked the playfulness between these two characters and their flirty banter. I loved Preson's infinite patience with Jordan and I loved how she loved with her whole heart, even if she was terrified to admit it. I loved Preston's twin brother, Price, and how much trouble liked to cause. I loved Their friends, Logan and Quentin and how supportive they were of the relationship between Preston and Jordan.

If you like college hockey romances, friends to lovers where he is obsessed with her, this is the book for you!

[Bluesworldofbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love when the main female characters in a book are chaotic, and Jordan Vanderfleet delivers her daily dose of chaos to this story. Jordan has a complicated relationship with her family, which makes her constantly run away from her feelings and from people. She thrives in chaos and in pleasing others. She lives by three simple rules centered around never falling in love, which leads her to have many one-night stands and avoid commitment.

We also follow Preston Charming, whose last name fits him perfectly. He has a charming, sunshine personality and has had a crush on Jordan for years. However, he never acted on his feelings, knowing about his best friend’s struggles with commitment and her refusal to fall in love.

Breaking the Ice was a fun yet emotional read. The book was fast-paced, making me want to keep reading until the very end. We get to see Jordan slowly realize her feelings for Preston, and how this both breaks and frightens her. She wants to give in to her feelings, but her fear of Preston leaving her is even stronger.

Preston and Jordan have an amazing friendship and relationship. I love when couples start as friends and transition to lovers because of all the easy banter and emotional conversations that develop, as well as the deep understanding they share. Preston understood Jordan at times when she didn’t even know what she truly wanted or why she was so scared ❤️

If you are looking for a friends-to-lovers romance with a heroines who is a little messy but deeply relatable with a side of banter then this book is for you 🤭

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Breaking the Ice was a new adult sports romance with two young adults going through some tough emotional times. Jordan and Preston are best friends, but Preston has been harboring a secret crush on Jordan for years. Jordan has no desire to date or settle down due to the way she grew up, so Preston has kept his feelings buried deep. One night things change between them, and it sends both Preston and Jordan into an emotional tailspin. Luckily, they have a strong friendship and people in their lives that will support them as they figure out if they are destined to be more than friends.

I loved both of these characters and felt for what they were going through separately. Jordan was harder for me to like at times because I wanted her to hurry up and figure out her feelings, but I understood why that wasn't easy for her. I was happy with how things worked out for Jordan and Preston. My only teeny tiny complaint about this book were the character names. They main ones were Jordan, Preston, Logan, and Quinten - they are all different but have that "n" at the end and could be the name of a boy or a girl. It made them harder to differentiate at first and remember who was who. That's just a personal issue, though. This book was a great read.

[Lemonnyyy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breaking The Ice by Jaqueline Snow

294 Pages

Central State Hockey Book 3

Where to start, I absolutely devoured this book, I couldn't put it down It was honestly the best kind of ride. Preston is just the most swoon worthy MMC, I may have said this multiple times in many reviews but somehow this gets surpassed every time I pick up a new book.

Breaking The Ice follows Jordan Vanderfleet, she has 3 rules to protect herself, this includes no love, no commitments and certainly no falling for her best friend/roommate Preston Charming, however Preston has been pining over Jordan for years and after an accidental steamy hotel stay, the tension so thick but can Preston get through to Jordan, have a read and find out.

This series is truly the gift that keeps on giving and I am living for it, they way that Preston treats Jordan even when she is being a bit of a brat is just so amazing, I love interconnected series and seeing couples from the previous in the series brings me so much joy.

I cannot wait to see what else this series brings, this one had my laughing and kicking my feet and on the edge of my seat with nerves in very quick succession.
I would highly recommend this series as well as the other books that Jaqueline has written, For fans of Hockey Romance, Best Friends to Lovers, Roommates, One Bed, Found Family and some Delicious Spicy Goodness.

[Bex · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Friends to lovers
Hockey
One bed

Jordan and Preston are best friends and roommates in college. Preston has secretly been in love with Jordan for a while but Jordan is a little scared of feelings and relationships. One night together in a hotel after a few drinks and a game see’s their friendship crossing a line and Preston wants more.

I’ve been waiting for Preston and Jordan’s story since witnessing their chemistry and tension during the previous book, under the ice. You could so tell they’d be absolutely perfect for each other so it was nice to see their friendship turn into more.

I was instantly hooked from the first chapter, I loved Jordan’s personality already from the last book and was so glad to see it again. Grumpy Preston really irritated me at the start of the book, he was almost like a brat. Then when Preston made his feelings known to Jordan she got a little frustrating, she was constantly pushing him away. Ahhh!

“𝘐 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘬. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵, 𝘴𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘳𝘺, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐'𝘮 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘢 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳.
𝘺𝘰𝘶.”

The further into the book I got, I started to get a little bored, there were parts I really liked but getting to the end felt a little like a chore unfortunately, especially as it started off so good.

This whole series for me has been a little up and down, sometimes I enjoyed it but sometimes I didn’t.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Book 3 of the Central State Hockey Series!

I was lucky enough to receive as an ARC 🥰

Breaking the Ice is an angsty, emotional, and addictively romantic sports romance that takes all the tension of a forbidden crush and explodes it into a whirlwind of heart, heat, and healing.

Jordan Vanderfleet is chaos in motion—carefree, commitment-averse, and fiercely independent. Her golden rule? Don’t fall for the guy who could wreck her world. But that rule cracks wide open after one impulsive, unforgettable night with the one person who was always off-limits: her best friend and roommate, Preston Charming.

Preston is the guy everyone roots for—steady, sweet, and driven with pro hockey in his sights. But behind his easygoing charm is years of unspoken love for Jordan. He’s tired of waiting, tired of being "just friends," and finally ready to risk it all.

As their carefully guarded friendship begins to unravel in the best and worst ways, both Preston and Jordan are forced to confront their fears—hers of commitment, his of losing her forever—and figure out whether friendship is worth sacrificing for something much deeper.

Tropes:
💙Best Friends to Lovers
💙Roommates
💙Hockey Romance
💙Commitment-Phobe Heroine

If you love hockey romances with a heartfelt emotional core, relatable characters, and the high-stakes drama of falling for your best friend, Breaking the Ice delivers. It's the kind of book that reminds you love isn’t always easy—but it’s almost always worth the risk.

[Kristee Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I broke the rules and fell in love with my best friend and roommate.”

Jordan and Preston have been friends for years and somewhere down the road Preston realized that he’s in love with Jordan. Problem is Jordan is anti-relationship and anti-marriage because of her family. She has a whole lot of baggage and just wants to have fun. Until one night, they crossed the line they can’t ever come back from. That night just proved to Preston that they belong together. Now he just needs to prove to Jordan to give them a chance and show her that they’re meant for each other.

I love how patient Preston is with Jordan. They were friends first so he completely understands how she is and still loves her anyway warts and all.
Jordan needed a little push ( or maybe a whole lot 😂) to realize that Preston means what he says when he says he’ll be there for her always. Her parents especially her Mom did a number on her and I’m so glad she found people that love her for who she is.

“We have chemistry and trust, two important things. I want to explore them.”

And boy did they explore! The chemistry between them is electric and they’re hot AF together! They definitely found someone to match their freak 😉

[Jamie Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I loved the friendship and banter between Jordan and Preston. I also loved the friendship between Jordan and Logan.
I loved that she stood up for him with his parents when they were arguing, that she told them it was affecting him.
Their hookup was 🔥🔥🔥
Her mom was horrible...
I loved how so many people helped Jordan with her event. I loved how Preston saw her as a person and made sure to tell her.
"𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝘄𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗼𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮 𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗮 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗯𝗮𝗱𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗜 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄.”
I loved their first official date, even though it got cut short.
I loved how amazing of a friend Logan was to Jordan, she needed someone like her in her life.
I loved when they both finally admitted their true feelings to each other.
“𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙥𝙞𝙙𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙄’𝙢 𝙖𝙡𝙨𝙤 𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙩. 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚, 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨. 𝙄𝙩 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙄’𝙢 𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙮 𝙥𝙝𝙮𝙨𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙞𝙩.”
“𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀, 𝘂𝘀, 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀. 𝗜 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝘁. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗝𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗻, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲."
“𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁, 𝗯𝗮𝗯𝘆. 𝗜’𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝘁. 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘁. 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀, 𝘀𝗼 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗻 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀.”
I loved the ending and the glimpse into their future, five years later.

[Jessica Wears Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Jaqueline Snowe is so good at writing spicy college romances in a way that feels both young and free yet incredibly mature. I always have fun and feel like I can relate to the characters easily. The characters' decisions are at times maybe a little immature but not in a childish way but in a "yes they are 21 so they don't have that much life experience yet they definitely aren't acting childish" if that makes sense?

Anyhow this friends to lovers, friends with benefits, roommates romance was wonderful and I never felt that Preston was a jerk friend just there to get into Jordan's pants. I do think had they never gotten together, he would've stayed her friend and moved on romantically which I find commendable in a character. And Jordan worrying she would lose him as a friend if it didn't work out was completely justified. The feelings both had about their concerns and at times jumping to conclusions made sense in context. I also really loved seeing some past characters as well as some side relationships go through their own trials.

I don't love a spicy college romance UNLESS it is written by Jaqueline Snowe!

Thanks to the author for this eARC!

[Haali M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breaking the Ice is book 3 in the Central State Hockey series. This whole series feels so Jaqueline. If you read other books by the author, it’s evident that she had FUN writing these and I’m so glad she did. They’re SO CUTE!

Breaking the Ice is definitely the spiciest book I’ve read by Jaqueline Snowe as well. I’m not even close to mad about it…because Preston? Ohhhh my lanta. All I have to say is yes, please. Hehehe

It makes sense to me that this book would be the spiciest of this series given who Jordan is as well. I love a woman who’s not afraid to embrace all the parts of her.

My heart broke at many points in this book, and I really appreciate the author giving a glimpse at men struggling and working through mental health challenges in a healthy way. I feel like it’s not addressed or accepted enough and it was a very respectful representation!

I’ll always talk about the accuracies with hockey from this author too. It’s a testament to her love for the game as well as her commitment to her stories actually being realistic on that front.

I pretty much just really enjoy everything Jaqueline writes. Thank you so much for the gifted review copy!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (rounded to 5 stars for Amazon)
🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐

First off i would like to thank Jaqueline for the opportunity to read & review this gifted E-Arc.

Jordan & Preston
I loved this book. I felt so seen and understood in Jordan and her need to control things that happened before they did. I loved that she knew who she was and what she wanted in life and made it work. I loved seeing her character growth and growing into her self. I loved Preston and his ability to know that he didn't have it all together but wanted to make the best of his life. I loved that he wanted Jordan for so long an was pinning for her & waited for the perfect moment to make it happen. I lobed watching these two go from friends to lovers and just truly know each other without judging. I loved watching them banter amd tease each other but get they happily ever after they deserve.

5/5 recommend this book. I loved everything about this book. There was moments i wanted to shake Jordan and also hug her cause she needed it. I loved the growth and development in the characters and that it was light hearted and funny but also heartfelt.

[Nadine Jeske · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author truly excels at crafting a female black cat character, and I eagerly devour her writing. I love reading a good hockey romances that feature black cat energy.

Jordan POV was incredibly enjoyable to read. She’s a spirited girl who knows exactly what she wants and who she is. She owns her sexuality, and I love that. It’s not something you often see in books. I can relate to Jordan a bit. She feels the need to prove her worthiness of love. I felt that resonate with me, but it was nice to see it in a character because even though it didn’t disappear, the feeling of needing to be worthy improved. Preston was exactly what Jordan needed. He was patient and kind to her, even though she was being a bit mean. He also had a freaky side, which was great to read. Preston matching Jordan’s freaky side was hot 🥵



favorite quote

It’s not about fixing myself because I’m not broken—but I need to stop living like I have to earn love. Like if I do everything perfectly, people won’t leave.”

[Book Addict Mands · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Jaqueline Snowe for the opportunity to read this ARC

I have loved this series so far and breaking the ice has definitely been my favourite. If you love hockey Romance then you definitely need to read this book.

Preston and Jordan have been friends for years, best friends inseparable forever winding each other up and having battles over video games. What Jordan doesn’t know is that Preston has had a secret crush on her for years. She thinks he dates and hooks up in secret when in actual fact he’s been holding out for her.

Jordan is your typical black cat FMC intent on using her college years to be wild to try and forget her parental dramas. Preston is your hot hockey boy golden retriever everyone else has the plan for the future so why does it come so hard for Preston?

Tropes for this book include
⛸️ Hockey romance
🏡 Found family
😘 Friends to lovers
🛌 One bed
❄️ Snowed in together
❤️‍🔥 He falls first & hard
🌶️ Spice

The spice in this book was off the chain. If you love a dirty talking MMC then you’ll definitely love Preston. The spice hits around 12% in and carries on throughout the book.

This book is a must read for all the hockey romance girlies

[Kristina Maysonet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ate this book up! Pretty much finished in one sitting which is very rare for me to do because of life. It has been a little bit since I read a friends to lovers and this one reminded me of why I love this trope so much.

Preston and Jordan are best friends and roommates. Preston has very strong feelings for Jordan, but Jordan doesn’t want marriage or kids so she knows it would be best to not get involved with Preston. When one night leads to slightly crossing their friend zone boundary, Jordan realizes how much they match seggsually. There was so much back and forth with Jordan, she would give Preston so much and then pull back. She would tell him she can’t date him, then get jealous. Preston was all in though. I think he was so perfect in the way that he pushed Jordan but never demanded more than she could give. They really had the best chemistry.

Can Preston prove to Jordan that they could be perfect together? Or will her fear keep them apart forever?

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑵𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒔: Preston Charming & Jordan Vanderfleet
𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝑵𝒂𝒎𝒆: Central State Wolves

[Tatiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tropes for this book include
⛸️ Hockey romance
🏡 Found family
😘 Friends to lovers
🛌 One bed
❄️ Snowed in together
❤️‍🔥 He falls first & hard
🌶️ Spice

If you love hockey Romance then you definitely need to read this book. I read this book I one go because I had been waiting for their story and it did not disappoint!! Preston and Jordan have been best friends for years. What Jordan doesn’t know is that Preston has had a secret crush on her for a very long time. Jordan thinks Preston dates and hooks up in secret but in all reality he’s been holding out for her. Jordan is the black cat FMC that wants to go to college and not worry about the problems with her parents. Preston is your hot hockey player and a golden retriever who doesn’t know what he wants to do when everyone else around him has a plan! I loved that they finally turn into more! The spice is spicy! This book was everything I was hoping for and more! I can’t wait to read the next book and I hope to see more of Pace!